"What saves a man is to take a step.
Then another step." ~ C. S. Lewis

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Amazon Takes On The French Government

A great example of why Europe's economy grows so much slower than the US economy, from Tyler Cowen:

A French court has ruled in favor of the French Bookseller's Union that Amazon's free shipping policy violates a law forbidding booksellers from offering discounts of more than 5 percent off the list price. Amazon was told to start charging for shipping within ten days or pay a daily fine. It must also pay €100,000 to the French Booksellers' Union.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, however, is refusing to charge for shipping and is taking the case to the French public. Way to go Jeff! My advice? Tell the state, laissez nous faire!